Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury appears unlikely to return this AFL season after a setback with his broken finger.
The gun midfielder underwent a second round of surgery on Monday night after having complications with his initial operation.
Pendlebury shattered the bone at the end of his finger into several pieces when he attempted a tackle during the Collingwood's hard-fought round-15 win over Gold Coast.
With just five rounds remaining, coach Nathan Buckley says Pendlebury will be racing the clock to play again this year.
"He went in last night. He's got some wires in the bones to try and help them knit back together," Buckley said on Tuesday.
"They'll be in place for four weeks, I'm told, so he won't be back (then), if at all. It's another four weeks from now to make sure that he heals appropriately.
"He's disappointed with that, as we are, but you can't fight genetics and that's what he's got."
While the 13th-placed Magpies need a miracle to make the finals, Buckley said he won't be encouraging Pendlebury to take an early holiday.
"My message is 'our season's still alive so get yourself as back as quick as you can'," Buckley said.
"It's pretty hard to play with a bit of coathanger hanging out of your finger so he's pragmatic about it (and) we are pragmatic about it."
In better news for the Pies, veteran Travis Varcoe remains in the frame to play again this season after a double injury blow.
Varcoe was concussed and also suffered a dislocated elbow during Sunday's spirited comeback win over West Coast.
He will miss Sunday's clash with ladder leaders Adelaide at the MCG but should return in coming weeks.
Key forward Darcy Moore is also unlikely to face the Crows after suffering neck soreness following a hit to the head.
The Pies have found some much-needed momentum with consecutive wins over the past fortnight and will benefit from the Crows missing star forward Eddie Betts.
Buckley said Josh Daicos, the son of Collingwood legend Peter, was a chance to debut after a solid run of form in the VFL.
Midfielder Tom Phillips and ruck-forward Mason Cox were also likely to be considered for selection.
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